Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

Medieval Latin applausus, from [[Latin]], beating of wings, from applaudere

Medieval Latin applausus, from [[Latin]], beating of wings, from applaudere

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Century 15th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Century 15th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : marked commendation : acclaim <the kind of applause every really [[creative]] [[writer]] wants — Robert Tallant>

*1 : marked commendation : acclaim <the kind of applause every really [[creative]] [[writer]] wants — Robert Tallant>

*2 : approval publicly [[expressed]] (as by clapping the hands)

*2 : approval publicly [[expressed]] (as by clapping the hands)

==Description==

==Description==

'''Applause''' ([[Latin]] applaudere, to strike upon, clap) is primarily the [[expression]] of approval by the [[act]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapping clapping], or striking the palms of the hands [[together]], in order to create [[noise]]. [[Audiences]] are usually expected to applaud after a [[performance]], such as a [[musical]] [[concert]], [[speech]], or [[play]]. In most western countries, [[audience]] members clap their hands at [[random]] to produce a constant [[noise]]; however, it tends to [[synchronize]] naturally to a weak [[degree]]. As a [[form]] of [[mass]] nonverbal [[communication]], it is a simple indicator of the [[relative]] [[opinion]] of the entire [[group]]; the louder and longer the noise, the stronger the sign of approval.

'''Applause''' ([[Latin]] applaudere, to strike upon, clap) is primarily the [[expression]] of approval by the [[act]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapping clapping], or striking the palms of the hands [[together]], in order to create [[noise]]. [[Audiences]] are usually expected to applaud after a [[performance]], such as a [[musical]] [[concert]], [[speech]], or [[play]]. In most western countries, [[audience]] members clap their hands at [[random]] to produce a constant [[noise]]; however, it tends to [[synchronize]] naturally to a weak [[degree]]. As a [[form]] of [[mass]] nonverbal [[communication]], it is a simple indicator of the [[relative]] [[opinion]] of the entire [[group]]; the louder and longer the noise, the stronger the sign of approval.

==History==

==History==

The [[custom]] of applauding may be as old and as widespread as [[humanity]], and the variety of its [[forms]] is limited only by the [[capacity]] for devising means of making a [[noise]] (i.e., stomping of feet or rapping of fists or hands on a table). Within each [[culture]], however, it is usually subject to [[conventions]].

The [[custom]] of applauding may be as old and as widespread as [[humanity]], and the variety of its [[forms]] is limited only by the [[capacity]] for devising means of making a [[noise]] (i.e., stomping of feet or rapping of fists or hands on a table). Within each [[culture]], however, it is usually subject to [[conventions]].

The [[ancient]] [[Romans]] had a set [[ritual]] of applause for [[public]] [[performances]], expressing [[degrees]] of approval: snapping the finger and thumb, clapping with the flat or hollow palm, waving the flap of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toga toga], for which the emperor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurelian Aurelian] substituted handkerchiefs ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stole_(vestment) orarium]) that he had [[distributed]] to the Roman people.[1] In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Ancient_Rome Roman theatre], at the close of the [[play]], the chief [[actor]] called out "Valete et plaudite!", and the audience, guided by an unofficial [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choregus choregus], ''chanted'' their applause antiphonally. This was often organized and paid for.

The [[ancient]] [[Romans]] had a set [[ritual]] of applause for [[public]] [[performances]], expressing [[degrees]] of approval: snapping the finger and thumb, clapping with the flat or hollow palm, waving the flap of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toga toga], for which the emperor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurelian Aurelian] substituted handkerchiefs ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stole_(vestment) orarium]) that he had [[distributed]] to the Roman people.[1] In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Ancient_Rome Roman theatre], at the close of the [[play]], the chief [[actor]] called out "Valete et plaudite!", and the audience, guided by an unofficial [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choregus choregus], ''chanted'' their applause antiphonally. This was often organized and paid for.

Similarly, a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claque claque] (French for "clapping") was an [[organized]] [[body]] of [[professional]] applauders in French [[theatres]] and [[opera]] houses who were paid by the performer(s) to [[create]] the [[illusion]] of an increased level of approval by the [[audience]].

Similarly, a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claque claque] (French for "clapping") was an [[organized]] [[body]] of [[professional]] applauders in French [[theatres]] and [[opera]] houses who were paid by the performer(s) to [[create]] the [[illusion]] of an increased level of approval by the [[audience]].

With the proliferation of [[Christianity]], [[customs]] of the [[theatre]] were adopted by the churches. Eusebius[3] says that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Samosata Paul of Samosata] encouraged the congregation to applaud his preaching by waving linen cloths (οθοναις), and in the 4th and 5th centuries applause of the [[rhetoric]] of popular preachers had become an [[established]] [[custom]]. Applause in church [[eventually]] fell out of [[fashion]], however, and, partly by the [[influence]] of the quasi-[[religious]] [[atmosphere]] of the [[performances]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner Richard Wagner]'s [[operas]] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayreuth_Festspielhaus Bayreuth Festspielhaus], the reverential [[spirit]] that [[inspired]] this soon extended back to the [[theatre]] and the [[concert]] hall.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applause]

With the proliferation of [[Christianity]], [[customs]] of the [[theatre]] were adopted by the churches. Eusebius[3] says that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Samosata Paul of Samosata] encouraged the congregation to applaud his preaching by waving linen cloths (οθοναις), and in the 4th and 5th centuries applause of the [[rhetoric]] of popular preachers had become an [[established]] [[custom]]. Applause in church [[eventually]] fell out of [[fashion]], however, and, partly by the [[influence]] of the quasi-[[religious]] [[atmosphere]] of the [[performances]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner Richard Wagner]'s [[operas]] at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayreuth_Festspielhaus Bayreuth Festspielhaus], the reverential [[spirit]] that [[inspired]] this soon extended back to the [[theatre]] and the [[concert]] hall.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applause]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Theatre]]

[[Category: Theatre]]